Destroy chemical weapons -
Annan
Accra, Dec. 6, GNA - Describing chemical weapons
as “cruel and inhumane,” United Nations
Secretary-General Kofi Annan on Tuesday called
on all States to accede to the global convention
banning these arms, as the treaty approaches its
10-year anniversary.
In a message to a high-level conference in The
Hague he said since it entered into force in
1997, the Chemical Weapons Convention had
contributed to the steady destruction of
stockpiles worldwide.
There are now 181 nations – representing about
98 per cent of the world’s population – that are
party to this agreement, a statement issued by
the UN Information Centre in Accra said.
“Yet several key actors remain outside its
framework. On the eve of the Convention’s tenth
anniversary, I once again urge all governments
that have not yet done so to ratify or accede to
the treaty without delay… I encourage all
signatories to destroy these cruel and inhumane
weapons within already established deadlines,”
he said, in the message.
Busumuru Annan urged all States party to the
Treaty to enact appropriate national legislation
to enforce the agreement, adding: “it is also
crucial that the Organization for the
Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) –
UN-affiliated body – receives full support”.
Countries
automatically become members of the OPCW when
they accede to the convention.
“Both OPCW and States parties can continue to
count on the support of the United Nations
System. The UN remains deeply concerned about
the dangers of chemical weapons – indeed all
weapons of mass destruction – and is actively
engaged in efforts to counter this threat.”
Highlighting the General Assembly’s adoption in
September 2006 of the UN’s Global
Counter-Terrorism Strategy as being one example
of the effort to stamp out weapons of mass
destruction, Busumuru Annan described them as
“one of man’s most terrible inventions.”
But he added; “eliminating them would be one of
mankind’s grandest accomplishments” and called
for stepped-up efforts to “banish these
instruments of death”.
The Conference of States Parties to the
Convention, which is holding its eleventh
session, runs from Wednesday until 8 December
2006.
GNA
